Bandh evokes total response in Barak

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR, Sept 2: The 12 hour Bharat bandh called by Central Trade Unions (CTUs) of India along with Independent tiol Federations of employees of various industries and services which include Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers, passed off peacefully. No untoward incident from any part of Barak Valley has been reported. The members of trade unions and organizations assembled before the office of the Deputy Commissioner here in order to block the entry passage and paralyzed its functioning. The all India general strike was supported by 18 crore workers across the country, claimed a trade union leader. The bandh was called in protest against anti-labour and anti-people policies of the central government.

 A number of trade unions, AITUC, CITU, INTUC, AIUTUC, AICCTU, TUCC, EWTCC and ASGEF have supported the bandh. CTUs have put forth their 12 point charter of demands. The issues included in the charter of demands are related to a number of problems being faced by the people. There are also some issues centring on the livelihood of the working classes that belong both to the organized and unorganized sectors. It has been stated by the trade unions that despite staging a series of protests and strikes for the last two years, the NDA government has failed to fulfill their demands. The BJP government has supported privatization of 12 oil mines in Assam and this has displeased the masses.

 The condition of tea labourers has been deteriorating and government, it seems, is least bothered about it. It has been stated that government on the pretext of amending labour laws is compelling the labourers to work for 12 hours. If this situation persists, the labourers will not enjoy any right or privilege as workers of trade unions should. In addition to it, government’s apathy towards construction and repair work of tiol highways, alterte road construction, irregular rail services have added to the woes of the people. The future of Cachar paper mill also lurks in the dark as government is not paying any heed to it.

 It is to be noted here that over a million workers in telecom, banking and various other sectors participated in the bandh to press their demand for enhanced pay and also in protest against new labour and investment policies. The public transport has also been affected as none was allowed to use any type of vehicle. Offices, banks, factories, educatiol institutions and shops remained closed. There were no public transport and the streets of the town wore a deserted look.

 The government has failed to take any vital step to control the issue of price rise of essential commodities. Poor families cannot afford to buy essential commodities. In addition to this problem, the NDA government has also failed to create employment opportunities despite all the tall talks. It is also silent regarding the retrieval of black money which lies stashed in overseas banks. Working classes people should not have been ignored. The government, it seems, has completely avoided the combined opposition of the working class, which in turn has empowered the employers with authority to ‘hire and fire’.

 In this regard, the CTUs and Federation of Central Government Employees and Workers’ joint convention, on March 3, 2016, have opposed government’s anti-labour policies and stated that a tionwide bandh would be organized today. People from all walks of life along with workers, employees, teachers, farmers, students, youth and women supported the strike. The roads remained deserted as vehicles were not plying and only a handful of people were seen walking on the road.